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Former prisoner given republican funeral honours

The coffin of Henry McErlean on the way to Holy Cross Church yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell
The coffin of Henry McErlean on the way to Holy Cross Church yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell The coffin of Henry McErlean on the way to Holy Cross Church yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell

A FORMER prisoner who took his own life at the weekend was given republican honours before his funeral yesterday.

Henry McErlean (62), a member of Republican Network for Unity (RNU), died at his home in Ardoyne on Sunday evening - two days after he was due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court.

He had been controversially arrested earlier this year while putting up a suicide-awareness poster in north Belfast.

Mr McErlean was too ill to attend court last Friday on charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting police.

Yesterday, he was given a guard of honour outside Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne, north Belfast.

A tricolour was draped over his coffin but was removed before it was taken into the church.

Members of RNU wearing white shirts, black berets and black ties marked with the organisation's insignia walked alongside the coffin as it was carried towards the church.

Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Terence McGuckin.

Mr McErlean was later buried in the City Cemetery.

The rector of Holy Cross, Fr Gary Donegan, said Mr McErlean's death was a tragedy.

"My heart goes out to the family at this tragic time," he said.

He said the funeral was attended by hundreds of people from across the area.

The Irish News reported in June how the grandfather was arrested after police said he was seen “interfering with a lamppost using tools and a ladder”.

He had been putting up posters advertising the Lifeline helpline in north Belfast, an area that had seen a spate of suicides.

At the time the PSNI were criticised for arresting Mr McErlean but allowing loyalists to put flags on lampposts in the run-up to the Twelfth.

:: If you are experiencing distress or despair, you can contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 or The Samaritans on 0845 790 9090 (116 123 from the Republic).